Woo! FFN is back up for now, so I'm racing to get this posted while it's still Saturday for me!

Thank you so much to Mel! I fiddled after she looked it over, so any remaining errors are on me.

CHAPTER TEN

Bella

"Power and recklessness are a dangerous combination."

― Abhijit Naskar

There was a loud ringing in my ears that wouldn't stop. I looked up at the man—Charlie—and shook my head. "You're mistaken," I croaked. "My father died when I was five." I'd never known the man; he'd apparently left my mom the moment she found out she was pregnant. She'd gotten the call when I was little that he'd died. I could still remember the flowers someone had sent us. They hadn't made sense to me, but they had been pretty.

Charlie let out a laugh. "Johnathan Swan? Is that who you believed to be your father?"

My mouth snapped shut, my body trembling.

"Renée has done a superb job at hiding you," he said with a nod. "You have been hard to track, even for me." He flashed me a pointed grin before he turned and wandered toward a bar in the corner of the room. "Johnathan was just a man who lent you his name. Nothing more," he said, reaching for a bottle. "Do you drink?"

He turned to look at me, but I was too stunned to answer. Charlie scowled and returned his attention to the bar cart.

"But my birth certificate," I croaked.

"All fake," Charlie interrupted. "You, my child, have been living quite the cover-up." He stepped away from the bar, two glasses in hand. The liquid inside looked more golden than I was expecting, though I chalked that up to influence from the decor around us. He held a glass out to me and I stared at him warily. "Oh come, come. I don't have a reason to harm you. Not when you've finally returned home to me."

He waggled the drink in front of me, and slowly, I reached for it. He gave me a satisfied smile, holding up his own glass. "Here is to you, Pet," he said, lifting his drink in my direction. "You are my legacy."

…

I was curled up on a chair on the upper deck when Edward finally found me.

He looked pale, but despite the drugs wearing off in his system, I thought he probably was better off for having finally slept.

I didn't know how to tell him what I knew. It didn't seem like something I should just blurt out, but he had to know, didn't he?

"Hey," I croaked as he made his way to my side. He sank into a chair next to me, his eyes shutting heavily as he leaned back.

"Hey." His voice was raspy, like he hadn't used it in days.

"Do you know where we are?" I asked, not wanting to tell him, but needing him to know anyway.

Edward let out a long sigh. "Royally fucked," he groaned. When I didn't respond, he opened his eyes and looked at me. "We've been kidnapped by the only person in this fucking world with more power than my parents."

My stomach sank. "What?"

Edward let out a breath and shook his head. "His name is Charlie Bourgault. He's the absolute top of the food chain. The guy who was top dog before the rift." Edward shut his eyes. "We're so fucked."

I turned to face the water, taking a deep breath. "Edward," I said softly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him turn and look at me. "I spoke to him earlier," I continued, my gaze still on the horizon. After a moment, I finally turned toward Edward. He must have seen something on my face, fear maybe, because he sat up and spun his body toward me.

"What is it? Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head and took a breath. "He told me he's my father."

Edward's face went blank. Completely and utterly blank.

I twisted in my chair to face him, feeling anxious the longer he didn't say anything.

Finally, he let out a breath. "What?"

I shrugged and shook my head. "He said he was my father," I said again.

Edward shot to his feet, startling me. He looked down at me, speechless, before twisting away and pacing the deck in front of us.

"He has to be fucking with you," he said, shaking his head. "Or maybe it's me. Maybe he's trying to get into my head."

I scowled. "But why? What would it matter if it was true?"

Edward turned on me. "Because," he hissed, his eyes wild with fear. "You cannot be the only fucking child of Charlie Fucking Bourgault."

"What would happen if it were true?"

Edward let out a strangled laugh and shook his head, his eyes flying to the sky. "Jesus Christ, Bella, don't you get it? If that man is telling the truth, then you definitely outrank me, which means our marriage," he hissed. "Is now a thousand times more deadly. We signed a fucking contract giving you unlimited access to my family's assets and holdings, but now with the Bourgault name behind you, that level of power could literally end the world."

I blinked, stunned. "But we wouldn't end the world," I pointed out.

"Wouldn't we?" he snarled. "Would I not level entire fucking empires if I thought you were in danger?" He paced away from me, fuming, and I stared after him, confused. Did he mean that because he needed me still as a business partner? I wasn't so sure.

I watched him tug on his hair as he stared out at the ocean, and I let out a long breath.

"I don't know if I should believe him or not," I pointed out.

Edward looked at me. "There is no benefit for him lying," he said, sounding tired. "There is only one thing we can do." He gazed out at the ocean before turning to face me. "We have to break the marriage contract."

I stared at him. "But you said we couldn't divorce."

He shook his head. "We can't, but if a marriage is properly contested in the first year, it can be reversed. It's a clause we've put in there for every marriage, but it rarely happens." He came to sit beside me again and shook his head. "We have to find a way to get one of the Sixteen to contest our marriage before our one-year anniversary."

I frowned. "That's only days away," I pointed out.

"I know." Edward sighed. "But don't you see? This is the only way to save the world from people wielding us like some ultimate weapon."

I bit my lip and nodded. "Okay," I agreed. "Do you think it's possible …" I hesitated, and Edward looked up at me warily. "I mean, do you think that your parents could be behind this? As a way to force us to break the marriage contract?"

Edward let out a breath. "I wish they were," he said, shaking his head. "Then I'd be able to predict their game." He looked at me, and I'd never seen such heaviness in his gaze. "It would take an act of God himself to force my parents to work any sort of deal with Charlie Bourgault."

…

A light blue dress was delivered to my room before dinner. There was no note, but I understood the expectation all the same.

Some part of me, that must not have understood the full gravity of the situation I was in, wanted to ditch the dress and come to dinner in sweats, but I had none of my own clothes around and Charlie didn't seem like a patient man.

Begrudgingly I pulled on the dress, disgusted by how low the neckline was. Fathers shouldn't be selecting dresses like this for their daughters.

I found some sandals in the stocked closet in my room, and though there was a large selection of expensive-looking jewelry, I didn't put any on. I didn't need to dress up for this man any more than he was making me.

When I was dressed, I exited my room to find an attendant waiting to escort me to the dining room. The man gave me a blank stare as he motioned down the hall.

I sighed but let him lead me.

The dining room was down a floor and so large and ornate that for a moment, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that we were on a ship.

How large was this vessel?

"Ah, Bella, so good of you to join us," Charlie said, clapping his hands. He sat at the head of the table, the nameless brunette who was playing the piano before was beside him while Alice and Edward sat farther down toward the other end. I wanted to select the farthest seat I could, but the attendant pulled out a chair next to Edward and only two down from Charlie.

Gritting my teeth, I sat.

"You look lovely, Pet," Charlie said, giving me a toothy smile. I frowned, turning away from him. Beside me, Edward was tense, his body strung tight in his seat, and on his other side, Alice looked like a shell of herself. She'd been almost unresponsive when I'd finally found her and told her what was going on. It was like she'd lost her very will to keep going.

"I take it you've settled into your rooms all right," Charlie said, drawing my attention to him. "Though, it is only right that a married couple share their room," he said, his gaze flickering over Edward and me.

I stiffened. How did he know?

"What are you talking about, Bourgault?" Edward asked, almost sounding like his old, cocky self. He grabbed his drink and took a sip.

Charlie's eyes narrowed. "Don't play games with me, boy," he sneered.

I felt Edward grow somehow even more tense beside me.

I took a breath. "The rooms are fine as they are," I said, shaking my head.

Charlie's gaze turned to me. "Nonsense. However will I get grandchildren with you two so far apart," he tsked.

I flinched and shook my head. "I'm not having children," I said before I could stop myself. I didn't mean it, not really, but children were still a very far-off thought in my head. Not something I was exactly wanting to rush toward.

Charlie looked unamused. "The legacy of your blood is dynastic," Charlie said, his voice low and cool. "It will endure, whether you wish it or not."

The threat sent a chill down my spine, and beside me, Edward reached out, his hand landing on my knee under the table.

I glanced at him, but his eyes were focused on Charlie.

"Is this what you've kidnapped us for?" Edward asked. "To pester us about grandchildren?"

Charlie's face split into a toothy grin. "Certainly not," he said with a shake of his head. "I merely thought it was time to become acquainted with my daughter. Capturing you in my net, well, that's just a cherry on top for me."

"You can't hurt Edward," I blurted out. Charlie looked at me in surprise, and I scrambled to press on. "I mean, you wouldn't gain anything with his parents. They have other children. It serves no purpose, hurting him." I wasn't actually sure there were multiple options in line to take Edward's place, he'd only told me about the one, but I was desperate to make Edward look like as little a target as I could.

Charlie chuckled. "I have no intention of harming anyone," he said, reaching out for his glass. "At least, not physically."

I frowned, but when he did not elaborate, my eyes swept to the brunette at his side. She was texting, looking utterly bored. Who the hell was she? Some twisted stepmother my own age?

Waiters stepped forward and carefully placed plates in front of us, drawing my attention away from the woman. I eyed the food suspiciously. It didn't seem like Charlie had any reason to drug me, but I had absolutely no reason to trust him.

I looked at Edward, who let out a tense breath, but then gave me a small nod and picked up his fork.

Praying that I wasn't going to regret it, I followed his lead.

…

After dinner, Charlie excused Chelsea—the brunette at the table—and Alice and pulled Edward and me into his study to talk. Alice didn't even glance back at us as she left, and I felt my stomach drop. Something was really off with her. I needed to check on her.

Having little other opportunity to do anything but obey, Edward and I followed Charlie to his office where a maid brought us after-dinner cocktails. The office was just as grotesquely ornate as the rest of the ship thus far, though Charlie skipped the desk and sat straight down on a low sofa bench, motioning for Edward and I to sit opposite him.

We sat, drinks in hand, both of us stiff with tension and uncertainty.

"Oh, relax." Charlie sighed, waving a hand toward us. "I'm not going to ask you to reenact the consummation of your marriage." He chuckled, like it was a completely appropriate thing to say to his daughter.

I took a heavy swig of my drink, wincing as the alcohol hit my throat.

"I am dying to know," Charlie said, motioning between us with a grin. "How on earth did this come to be? By my last report of you two at the Academy, you hated each other."

I glanced at Edward in surprise. How long had Charlie been keeping tabs on us?

"Since when is hate a factor worth halting a Sixteen marriage?" Edward asked dryly.

Charlie let out a booming laugh and nodded. "Indeed!" He chuckled. "Carlisle and Esme are surely testament to that enough." He grinned, looking deeply amused. "What a legacy you have to live up to, boy."

Edward sipped his drink and did not respond.

Charlie chuckled again and nursed his drink, his fingers drumming against his knee. "All right," he said after a moment. "Here is how this is going to go." He leaned forward, looking at us. "Edward, we already know that you are the exact bargaining chip to put your parents over a barrel. There is no use pretending otherwise," he pointed out. "As for this marriage." He leaned back, sucking in a breath. "It wasn't the plan I had for you, Pet. But I'll admit, it has its advantages." He tapped his fingers on his knee again as he crossed his legs.

"Our marriage has been contested," Edward said, his voice so confident, I had to stop myself from whipping my head around to look at him.

"No, it hasn't," Charlie said, shaking his head. "And your anniversary is coming up, if I'm not mistaken." He grinned and I winced. I'd lost track of the exact day, but the last time I'd been aware of the date, our one-year anniversary had been about ten days away. "The moment that mark has passed, we are going to let your parents know just how fucked they are."

Edward's hands curled into fists against his knees and I looked at him, wanting to reach out and offer him comfort, but not in front of Charlie.

"Bella was right. I have siblings."

Charlie rolled his eyes and sipped his drink. "A little brother who is what? Four? He's easily dealt with if you are going to try to keep using him as leverage."

"No!" Edward and I both shouted, startling me. "Stop, leave him alone." Edward let out a breath and shook his head.

Charlie nodded. "Very good. We're all in agreement then."

I sipped my drink, wishing that somehow I could get away from this place. But we were in the middle of the fucking ocean. There was nowhere to go.

"Isabella," Charlie said, and I turned to look at him. "As my only child, I have named you my successor," he said, flashing me a grin. "Congratulations, Pet."

I let out a breath. "If I am your only child," I said, shaking my head. "Why did I grow up dirt poor?"

Charlie's eyes widened. "Renée was better at hiding you than I had anticipated," he said, frowning. "When you were born, I set you and Renée up in an apartment in Ohio. No one would have come looking for you there, so I thought it would be safest." Charlie rolled his eyes. "But Renée was paranoid. She moved you so much that eventually, she was able to slip off my radar. I didn't find you again until you were in high school." Charlie's lips pursed. "By then, it was too dangerous to have any sort of contact."

"How did you meet my mom?" I asked, feeling dizzy by this conversation.

Charlie smirked. "We met at the Academy, just like all other Sixteen matches."

My heart sank. Mom had known. She'd known where I was going, and she hadn't tried to protect me from it.

My mind flashed back to the conversation we'd had right before I'd accepted my place.

"Bella, the world isn't a safe place. Baby, there is so much you don't know about life."

She'd fucking known, and she hadn't done anything to stop me.

I felt my hand shaking, and I set my drink down so I didn't spill it.

Across from me, Charlie nodded. "I sent for you to come to the Academy when it was safe enough to extract you," he said. "It was always the plan for you to attend the Academy, though I had hoped it would be a touch sooner. It was your destiny."

I tried to picture my life being raised in the Academy. My stomach roiled, and I shook my head.

My whole life had been a lie. There wasn't a single person I'd ever met who hadn't lied to me.

Except Edward.

I looked at him in surprise. Edward was an asshole, and certainly secretive, but whenever I'd had point-blank questions, he had in fact answered them, as much as he could.

How had he become the most honest person in my life?

"Why keep me a secret?" I asked, my throat suddenly feeling dry. I was dizzy with all the information coming at me and just wanted to go lie down.

"A number of years ago, there was an accident." Charlie winced slightly and shook his head. "It left me infertile. Being my only child, and the only possible continuation of my legacy, had people known about you, the target on your back would have been monstrous. It was better to hide you, to keep you safe until it was time."

"Time for what?"

Charlie grinned. "Time for you to rule, Pet."

…

The next several days were painfully tense. For the most part, Charlie left us alone, giving us access to most of his yacht, but every night after dinner, he dragged me into his study—alone, after the first time—in a very strange attempt to possibly mentor me in becoming a megalomaniac.

Mostly, I'd seen an example of how not to behave.

Charlie was shrewd and clever. He exercised his will through brute strength. Some people were subtle, Charlie was not.

He went on long winded lectures about histories I didn't care about, and just when I felt myself starting to nod off, he'd demand my attention, making me recount the highlights of what he'd spoken about. It was worse than being at the Academy.

Sometimes, he'd be working at his desk, mulling over paperwork that I couldn't see. He'd narrate the events of a deal he brokered, or the hostile takeover he was currently deploying, all with a note of glee in his voice. He truly was a shark in the waters of the finance world.

There wasn't a single fortune five hundred company Charlie hadn't had some dealings with on some level.

Strangest of all was the way he spoke about treating people. One minute, he would be ranting about being an unwavering leader, strong and steadfast, the next minute he'd be flying off the handle, verbally—and once physically—throwing abuses at his staff if something wasn't exactly right.

He was a tyrant, a despicable human being, and he wanted me to be just like him.

Edward's things had been moved into my room after the first dinner. Despite now sharing a bed, Edward and I managed to keep our distance, knowing that for some perverse reason, Charlie wanted us to be closer.

It was, to a small degree, comforting to have another person near, but I knew that it was foolish to rely on him. When push came to shove, Edward would do what he needed to do to protect himself and his family, and I could not hold that against him.

Alice remained vacant, and I was beginning to believe that she truly had lost her will to keep fighting.

It was a frightening thought, given how strong-willed she'd always been.

It was another bright and beautiful morning, and I hadn't seen Alice in over a day. I was determined to drag her outside and talk sense into her, even if she fought me the entire way.

I made my way to her bedroom, reaching for the handle without knocking. I shoved open her door and blinked when I saw her jump on her bed and shove something beneath her pillow.

"Bella," she said, shaking her head.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Shut the door," she hissed.

I closed the door and approached her bed. "Alice?"

She eyed me then sighed and reached under her pillow. "I managed to grab it before Charlie's men got me," she said, holding up the manuscript I'd stolen from the vaults. "I know where you got this from," she said, eyeing me. I ducked my head, ashamed to be reminded of that night. "But I don't know why you grabbed it."

I shrugged and reached for the journal. Alice handed it over and I let out a breath. "I don't know," I said honestly. "I've always loved the book. I think I just got swept up in the excitement of seeing the first draft of it."

Alice frowned. "Cordova was at the Academy."

I looked up at her and nodded. "I know." I sat on the edge of her bed, and for the first time since that night in the vaults, I cracked open the journal to flip through the first few pages. "It was a strange realization for me," I told her.

Alice shrugged. "I don't read Spanish," she said, motioning toward the book. "But I was looking through it anyway, trying to find some sort of clue."

I looked at her. "Clue?"

Alice shrugged. "I don't know. I'm desperate and I miss the internet."

I dropped my gaze to the book in my lap. "Is this why you've been acting so passive?" I asked, holding it up.

Alice shook her head. "No. I'm doing that so I won't seem like a threat to anyone. I want to draw as little attention to myself as possible."

I was impressed, though really, unsurprised by the wisdom of her tactic. "That's smart," I agreed.

Alice was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. "Is he really your father?"

At that, I looked up at her. I felt the familiar knot of uncertainty twist in my gut and I let out a breath.

"I don't know," I said slowly. "The problem is, he has no reason to lie to me. I'm not anyone important unless he really is my father."

Alice frowned. "Those vipers don't need a reason," she hissed. "They'll spew venom, just to see the world writhe around them."

I let out a long breath and nodded. She was right, of course. The Sixteen seemed to all take a perverse pleasure in the suffering of others.

My fingers curled around the book in my lap, and I took a steadying breath. Whatever happened, we couldn't let Charlie win.

…

Charlie pulled Edward into his study with us after supper that evening. I was familiar enough with the routine now, even if I didn't like it.

Charlie made us drinks, and we sat and talked about the insane plans he had for the world.

Tonight, it seemed, he had a slightly different topic in mind. "I have been in contact with Carlisle and Esme," Charlie said as soon as we were all seated. "They are aware that I have their son, and they are ready to negotiate."

Edward swore under his breath and I looked over at him. I wasn't sure what they were supposed to be negotiating, but I had to assume Charlie was now treating this like a hostage situation.

If we survived this, there was no way his parents were going to name Edward their successor, not after all this.

His life, in his terms, was over.

"We'll be in the South China Sea tomorrow," Charlie continued. "Just in time for your one-year anniversary."

I winced and shook my head. Without contact to the outside world, we'd been utterly unable to find anyone to contest our marriage properly. Our only hope had been thoroughly dashed.

Charlie watched us over his glass and frowned. "Come now, don't make me celebrate alone," he goaded. "Cheers to a bigger and brighter future." He held his hand up high and gave us a cruel smile.

Edward and I lifted our drinks without toasting and downed them. We'd seen Charlie fly into a rage over the smallest of things. It was best to not fight too hard directly against his will.

"Fine." Charlie sighed, swallowing his own drink now. "That is all for tonight, Pet. I have a lot to prepare for in the morning."

I frowned. Sometimes Charlie's lessons went on for hours. They were never this short.

Edward and I both stood, not wanting to stay longer than necessary, and bolted out of the study.

By the time we made it back to our room, I was feeling the effects of the alcohol. I was warm and a little dizzy as I stumbled out of my shoes and sat on the edge of our bed.

"What do you think your parents will do?" I asked, looking up at Edward.

"Hard to say." He sighed, his shoulders hunched as he flopped back on the bed. I twisted around to lie on my stomach and see him. "I'm sure murdering me will be high on their to-do list."

I scowled. "They shouldn't be allowed to murder you," I said, reaching out to poke his cheek with my finger.

He glanced in my direction. "Just like your father shouldn't be allowed to kidnap us," he pointed out, reaching up to catch my finger between his. I watched dizzily as he brought my finger to his lips, rubbing the pad against his stubble before he pressed a soft kiss to my digit.

My finger wiggled in his grasp, and he let go so that I could trace his lips. He hadn't shaved in a couple days, so there was some coarse hair dotting his face that tickled at the touch. I smiled and Edward, watching me, smiled in return.

"God, you're fucking beautiful." He sighed.

"What?" I giggled, taken aback.

"Seriously," he said, his eyes shutting as my fingers explored his cheeks and brow bone. "I've never met anyone like you."

"Many people are far prettier than me," I pointed out.

"Yeah, but no one is like you." He sighed once more. "You are so fucking intense, sometimes it scares me."

I blinked in surprise. "I scare you?"

Edward opened his eyes and looked at me again. "Shitless."

I couldn't help my smile. I scooted across the bed, my fingers running across his face and falling into his hair. He twisted around, meeting me in the middle of the mattress, pulling me into his arms as our lips finally touched.

Aside from our wedding, we'd never kissed. I'd expected something harsh and demanding, but Edward was surprisingly tender, very nearly verging on sweet. I felt his hand slide around my body and down my leg, and I let him hitch it over his hip.

"This is a bad idea." I giggled against his mouth.

"The worst," he agreed.

Our lips were fused again, taking and giving in perfect balance.

I felt Edward's hand creep up my dress, and I let my hips fall open, giving him access higher and higher.

I let out a long moan as his fingers slipped under my panties.

His fingers and tongue moved in perfect synchronization, dipping into me and lapping at me until my body was strung tight, my hips undulating, trying to seek more of him.

"Edward," I moaned, my fingernails scraping up his back and into his hair. I tugged and he hissed, nipping at my lip. "Please," I groaned.

I was so close to snapping like a rubber band.

Edward removed his fingers from me, making me whimper in protest. He grinned against my mouth and gripped the thin, expensive material of my panties, yanking them off my body in a single, forceful tug.

I cried out in surprise and desire as he fumbled for his belt.

"Now," I grunted, my fingers slipping down his body to help him. I tugged impatiently at his waistband, my dress pooled around my hips as my tongue and teeth licked and nipped at his throat, making him falter.

Finally, he got his pants off, and I pulled him fully between my legs, wrapping my calves around his waist, holding him to me.

"Now," I croaked.

Edward bent and caught my lips again just as he slid into me. It had been a year since I'd had sex, and my body arched toward him as I stretched to accommodate him.

"Fuck," Edward rasped against my shoulder. "Fucking glory."

I let out a throaty laugh. "Yes," I moaned. "Worship me."

Edward moved his hands around my waist, trailing them up to pluck at the thin straps of my dress. He yanked them down, snapping one, until my breasts were exposed. He took one breast between his teeth, lightly scraping as he pumped in and out of me. "You," Edward growled against my flesh. "Are a goddess."

He was driving me higher and higher until I was nothing more than a distant star, burning hot and cold, lonely and divine.

Edward uttered a string of words against my skin, a holy prayer exalting me as I burst apart, scattering supernovas across the universe. This was worship. This was devotion.

This was power.

…

I woke up with a pounding headache. I groaned, rolling over on my pillow. A hot body grunted underneath me, and I yelped, jumping up.

"Don't knee me in the groin," Edward choked out, his hands flying up to protect himself.

"What the fuck happened?" I asked, taking in his naked body. His eyes were still closed, and I took inventory of my own body.

The dress I'd worn to dinner was torn to shreds and scattered on the bed underneath me. I had bite marks and hickeys on my breasts and collarbones, and I was distinctly sore.

No. No, no, no, no.

This couldn't be happening, not again.

"Fuck," I sobbed, yanking myself out of bed.

Edward's eyes popped open and he blinked against the sunlight coming into the room. "What happened?" he asked, his voice thick. "Why do I feel like shit?"

My eyes were welling with tears too fast to slow down.

"Goddammit," I cried, scrambling for my robe that was draped over a chair across the room. "Fuck!"

Edward sat up, confused. "What's going on?"

My body was shaking, my head throbbing, and tears were running down my cheeks.

"Bella?"

Before he could do or say anything, there was a sound at the door. We both turned to see Charlie stride in, dressed in a black suit. I yanked the robe tighter around me and tried to get my tears under control.

"Ah-ha," he cried. "I see you did have a good night after all."

Edward looked down at the bed then over to me, his face falling as he finally understood what was going on. He yanked the blanket up over his waist, his gaze turning on Charlie.

"What did you do to us?" Edward demanded.

"Just a little something to make you both relax," Charlie said, shrugging lightly. "Really, it was nothing."

So Edward had been drugged too? In some horrible, convoluted way, it made things a tiny bit better, even though it really didn't.

"You fucking—"

Charlie held a hand up to silence Edward. "Now, now, son. There is no need for that. After all, I'm about to make all your petty little dreams come true."

Edward swallowed hard, his gaze flying over to me. I sank onto the chair my robe had been thrown over, my breathing heavy and difficult.

"I just wanted to be sure that my plan had succeeded. Now that I know it has, I'll be leaving for my meeting with Carlisle and Esme." He paused and glanced between us. "Do try to have some fun in my absence." He let out a horrible laugh as he turned to stride out of the room again.

The moment he was gone, Edward was flying out of bed, butt naked and running to my side. "Bella?" he asked, his hands fluttering around me, trying to reach out without invading my space. "Shit, Bella, I'm so sorry. It was like, like he shut off all my inhibitions."

I looked up at him and nodded, sniffing hard. "I know," I agreed. Flashes of the night before kept creeping across my memory. I'd never been so candid with anyone.

"Did I hurt you?" Edward asked, gesturing toward my chest. I looked down to see my robe had fallen open slightly.

I shook my head. "No. I mean, it wasn't anything I didn't want," I said, pressing a finger to the marks on my skin. They didn't hurt, though they looked quite red.

Edward let out a long breath. "He's a monster," he said quietly.

I looked up at Edward. Last night, even though we'd been drugged, something had changed. I'd shown a side of myself to Edward that I had never shown to anyone. Even if he didn't know the depth of it, I couldn't forget that.

I fidgeted in my seat, my hands twisting together. "Edward?"

He looked up at me from where I could only guess he had been silently beating himself up. "What is it?"

I took a breath. It was time to grow up, stop being the little girl too frightened to do what needs to be done. To go that extra step.

I stood from the chair, making Edward step back from me. The robe fell open, and I watched as his eyes flickered over my body.

He quickly refocused on me, his brows heavy.

"We're never going to beat him like this," I said, my voice soft. "As long as we keep chickening out of our decisions, he's going to keep winning."

Edward's brows furrowed. "What are you suggesting?"

I let out a breath. "We can't sit here like children, waiting for our turn to play grown-ups." I shook my head, my gaze traveling to the windows behind the bed. From our side of the yacht, I could only see the sea, an endless expanse.

I looked back at Edward. "We have to grow up."

Edward frowned. "How?"

I drew in a breath, making my shoulders rise. "It's time we finally took some power of our own instead of asking for it." My finger lifted toward the windows. "Somewhere out there, your parents are about to meet with Charlie. I assume it's to surrender to his megalomaniac demands."

"They'd rather kill me first," he objected.

"That's not okay either!" I shouted. "We can't let them keep getting away with shit like this! Human lives aren't just fodder for their games. We have to take a stand against them, put a stop to this madness!"

Edward swallowed hard and nodded. "Okay, I agree. What are you proposing?"

I met his gaze, pouring every ounce of anger, frustration, and fear I'd ever felt into my words. "We pick up their legacy, then we burn their dynasty to the fucking ground."

Act II Fin

The final act will be going live Saturday, August 3, in just a couple weeks. See you then!